Monday, June 05, 2006

Iraq War - Parents of Casualties Speak

Grief, Anger.....and a Sense of Bewilderment

I opposed the war before the first bombs fell on Baghdad, before the first pair of boots hit the ground in Iraq. Today, with all the facts that are known, my position has solidified. Our nation was taken to war on a pack of lies. The cost has been horrendous both in terms of wasted lives and the money (our money) spent. The lies continue although they have gone through different versions since March 2003 when the war began. So, I read Peter Slevin's Bonded by Loss, Divided by War in the Post with sadness. "UNIONTOWN, Ohio -- Bob Derga searches for purpose on a flat terrace behind his house, overlooking the woods. On one side is a weeping cherry tree. On the other, above the Marine Corps seal, is a chiseled stone: "If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever." Beyond saying that I'm with the parents who question the senselessness of the war, I wouldn't comment about the sentiments expressed.

Amid the sadness that has looped through his life since the death in Iraq of his only son, Derga has found a spark that drives him to defend President Bush, the war and the troops who are fighting it. He has begun to speak out, urging Americans "to have the guts as a nation to stay the course."

Forty miles north, Paul Schroeder and Rosemary Palmer, whose only son lived and died in the same Marine Reserve unit as Derga's son, have also been driven by anguish to speak out. But they do not believe in this war or this president or in staying the course.

They are convinced that their son's life was wasted. They want negotiations to begin, the war to end and the troops to come home.

One war, one Marine unit, two pained families divided about the way forward.

The numbers (see below) tell a story but only a small part of the story. When you think of the loss of lives, think not only of our soldiers but also about the hapless Iraqi civilians who got caught in the unjustified war. It would be absurd if one fails to take them into the equation.